Index – Domestic – Opposition coalition: It is a shame that Hungary is a pariah today
According to a joint statement issued on Thursday, the US president did not invite Hungary to the summit of democracy “because the international community sees a threat to democracy in the Orbán government, not a partner.”
The opposition promises that the post-election Márki-Zay government will be a partner in strengthening the democratic institutional system in Hungary as well.
Faith in democracy has been shaken around the world, with right-wing and left-wing extremist parties and leaders luring voters to center-right parties for decades. Loud and impatient minorities are trying to intimidate and expel those who disagree with them. There are also more and more countries that, while preserving the appearance of democracy, are systematically undermining the rule of law and restricting fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press. Hungary is one such country. It is therefore a shame, yet understandable, that Hungary has not been invited to a virtual summit convened by the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to discuss with 111 leaders how to defend democracy.
– read Thursday’s announcement.
They pointed out that the summit participants would discuss the means of taking effective action against authoritarian regimes, protecting human rights and curbing corruption. The opposition considers the summit of democracy to be justified and timely. In their view, it is the job of democracies in the world, and of all democrats, to “put on their gloves, stand up for the best proven political system in history, to preserve and spread democracy.”
At the same time, they reject “the misconception that the model of liberal democracy is outdated, that the future disregards human rights over authoritarian regimes”.
The joint statement also stated that the Democrats, and their diverse community, are ready to correct the mistakes that are actually occurring in democracies and are working to restore citizens’ shaken confidence in democracy.
It is a very strong message to the Orbán government that President Biden did not invite the Prime Minister of Hungary to the event. Hungary’s responsibility for this level of downgrading lies with the Orbán government, which systematically violates the rule of law and democratic principles. The shame of neglect can be washed away from Hungary if, with the support of the Hungarian electorate, we replace the Orbán regime in the spring of 2022, led by Péter Márki-Zay, and turn back from the path leading to the consolidation of the anti-democratic, illiberal state.
They said.
They also added that I know that in their struggle they can count on supporting the democracies of the world and “helping the new Hungarian government that will restore the democratic rule of law in Hungary”.
He received 110 invitations from about 200 states around the world to the two-day virtual summit. When compiling the Index, you can read about the participants with which the summit starts.
November Foreign Minister Péter Szijjár, after receiving his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic in Budapest, told a question from a Financial Times correspondent: Trumppal.
We do not need anyone to judge the state of Hungarian democracy in this way.
– said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade according to the MTI.
Péter Szijjártó also added that there will certainly be attempts at external intervention in the Hungarian election campaign, “some preparatory phases have already been detected”. However, the Hungarian services are doing their best to prevent them, he said.
At the Government Info a week ago, Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, reacted that Hungary had not been invited to the summit, saying that Hungary does not have as serious democracy problems as the United States. “If we can help and America thinks it would ask us for advice, we are available,” the minister added.
(Cover image: Péter Papajcsik / Index)